ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Avian Influenza

Margaret Beckett: I informed the House by written ministerial statement on 15 November, Official Report, column 48WS of the publication of the epidemiological report into the incident of avian influenza in a quarantine premises in Essex. The information previously available to us suggested that no consignments of birds had occupied the quarantine premises since March. It has now been established that a further set of records had been misfiled. Though this does not materially alter the position as previously reported to the House, we have now been informed that the quarantine premises in question accommodated a consignment of birds from 15 July to 18 August this year.
	The consignment is documented as comprising approximately 2,000 birds from Tanzania. In accordance with normal procedures the records show that the birds were held for the quarantine period. In addition the documentation shows that there was mortality of approximately 10 per cent. during quarantine and post mortem samples from some of the dead birds were tested at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. Samples taken from five of the dead birds and the sentinel chickens were negative for both Avian Influenza and notifiable Newcastle Disease. The samples from the dead birds were positive for paramyxovirus two which is not a notifiable disease.
	There have been no reported cases of avian influenza in Tanzania.
	We have brought the new information to the attention of our National Emergency Epidemiological Group. The group has concluded that there is no reason to alter the earlier conclusion drawn from its report that the likeliest source of the infection detected in October was the mesias documented as being imported from Taiwan. The epidemiological report will be updated to include the new information.

Margaret Beckett: In my oral statement to the House on 26 October, Official Report, column 308, I referred to the work my Department is carrying out jointly with ornithologists to monitor wild birds for avian influenza in the UK. The results of this surveillance will be of interest, to varying degrees, to the House and general public. My Department has therefore established mechanisms for the reporting of the surveys findings according to the level of significance as follows.
	We expect that a number of samples taken over the coming months will demonstrate the presence of low pathogenic non H5 or H7 avian influenza viruses. These have little significance in the epidemiology of avian influenza disease in domestic poultry. When these low pathogenic Al virus types (which are not H5 or H7) are isolated, they will be reported via the DEFRA website as will negative results: www.defra.gov.uk
	In the event that low pathogenic avian influenza viruses of type H5 or H7 are isolated, my Department will ensure that Health colleagues are informed as early as possible and prepare a briefing document which gives a clear explanation of the findings. If appropriate, a press briefing or conference will be held jointly with Health colleagues which will seek to cover as many issues as possible. Information will be posted on the DEFRA website and stakeholders will be updated.
	Should a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of any type be isolated Health colleagues will be informed and an announcement to both Houses will be made. My Department will ensure the thorough communication of the facts to the public and arrange early stakeholder meetings to ensure that key messages are understood. Communications will take place regularly as the disease strain is identified and investigations reveal more information.

HEALTH

Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts

Patricia Hewitt: In my statement of 18 October, Official Report, columns 49–50WS, I explained the need to streamline strategic health authorities (SHAs) and strengthen primary care trusts (PCTs)—all in the cause of improving services to patients. PCTs need to be able to design, plan and develop better services for all patients in their communities, to work more closely with local government, and more effectively to hold hospitals and general practitioners to account.
	In my statement, I stated that SHAs had been invited to submit proposals to the Department of Health. I also explained that an external panel had been established to advise Ministers on whether the proposals for reconfiguration submitted by SHAs had adequately engaged local stakeholders and met the criteria set out in "Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS", published on 28 July.
	Following consideration by the external panel and Ministers, I have agreed that all proposals for the reconfiguration of SHAs are fit to go forward for consultation on 14 December. Proposals for PCT configurations will also go forward for consultation on 14 December. The objective has been to ensure that the consultation on PCTs covers the broadest and most appropriate range of options.
	John Bacon, Group Director of Health and Social Care Services Delivery in the Department of Health, has written to chief executives of SHAs to outline the proposals on which their organisations can consult. A summary of the proposals has been placed in the Library.
	My noble Friend Lord Warner, the Minister of State for NHS Delivery, has written to hon. Members with constituencies in England to inform them of proposals for SHAs and PCTs in their constituencies.
	All proposals will be subject to a fourteen week local consultation and I will ensure that Parliament is informed when the consultation process begins.
	No decisions will be taken regarding the reconfiguration of SHAs or PCTs until the results of the local consultations have been considered and any recommendations reviewed.

NHS Finance Data

Patricia Hewitt: I am publishing today, for the first time, in-year financial forecasts for each National Health Service (NHS) trust, primary care trust (PCT) and strategic health authority (SHA). These figures—which, of course, have not been audited—show that half way through the financial year NHS bodies are forecasting a net deficit by year-end of around £620 million. These forecasts have been placed in the Library.
	A majority of NHS organisation are successfully managing their finances as well as cutting waiting times and generally improving services. Furthermore, NHS bodies typically take a prudent approach to forecasting by including a number of risks that they effectively manage by the end of the year. At this stage last year, the equivalent forecast figure was a deficit of £499 million; however, the audited 2004–05 position shows an end year deficit of £219 million. We therefore expect—and indeed intend to ensure—that the position at the end of this year will be significantly better than these mid-year forecasts. To keep these figures in perspective: the forecast deficit amounts to less than 1 per cent. of the funding available to the NHS, and two thirds of the gross deficit is due to thirty-seven (or 7 per cent.) of organisations.
	The decision to publish these unaudited financial forecasts is a major step in increasing transparency. I have made the decision to publish the data because I want to make it clear that inefficiency and poor financial management are not acceptable.
	I am also announcing today a further important measure to address the problems in a minority of NHS organisations. Turnaround teams of financial and management experts are being sent to support the strategic health authorities, NHS hospital trusts and PCTs that have the biggest delivery challenges. These teams will be experienced in resolving financial problems and managing NHS organisations. They will focus on ensuring the organisations deliver the efficiency and quality improvements needed to achieve both financial balance and better care for patients.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Parades Commission

Peter Hain: I am pleased to announce today the appointment of Roger Poole as the new Chairman of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. I am also appointing six new Commissioners—David Burrows, Dr. Joseph Hendron, Donald MacKay, Anne Monaghan, Vilma Patterson, and Alison Scott-McKinley.
	The appointments follow an open recruitment process based on merit. The new Chairman and six new members will take up their posts on 1 January 2006.
	These appointments bring a completely new dynamic to the Parades Commission. The membership represents the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland. They come from a variety of backgrounds, with a broad skills mix and, for the first time, a gender balance.
	I am particularly pleased that two people with personal experience and understanding of the Orange Order and the cultural importance of parades have been appointed to the Commission.
	I am appointing this Commission with a mandate to work itself out of a job by helping to create an environment in which accommodations on parades can be made between the two communities without the need for formal determinations.
	I am confident that Roger's down to earth approach and willingness to engage with people will help move parades towards a new era and that he will be ably supported by the rest of the Commission.
	The vast majority of parades pass off peacefully but there remains about half a dozen which are highly controversial. The violence that we saw at Whiterock in September cost millions of pounds of taxpayers money but had an even greater cost in terms of community relations.
	Northern Ireland will not be able to move into a truly stable and peaceful future whilst these issues remain unresolved.

TRANSPORT

EU Presidency: Transport Council

Alistair Darling: The second Transport Council of the UK presidency takes place in Brussels on 5 December. I will again be in the chair, with the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) in the UK national seat.
	There is a fuller agenda than in October, which will include maritime items. The main items on the agenda include: a progress report from the Commission on the recent negotiations between the European Union and USA on a comprehensive liberalised aviation agreement; revision of the directive on driving licences; and three dossiers from the third rail package.
	The latest round of EU-US negotiations for an air transport agreement took place in Washington from 14 to 18 November. There will be an exchange of views following the Commissioner's report, and my summing-up will be reflected in presidency conclusions. Progress was made during the talks with the USA, but will await the outcome of a US rule-making process on ownership and control of airlines, expected sometime in the first half of 2006, before evaluating the Stage One deal on the table.
	The Council will consider a draft decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on a comprehensive aviation agreement with China. The draft mandate sets out negotiating objectives for the first phase, primarily promoting "regulatory convergence" in competition and other fields. Negotiation of market access rights would in the main be left for later phases.
	In regard to aviation security, I will present a report on progress in working group negotiations on a regulation to replace the existing regulation 2320/02. The existing regulation has proved open to divergent interpretations, has no security classification, and is subject to the full co-decision procedure with the European Parliament. This has meant that implementation across the 25 Member States has been uneven, that sensitive details of security measures are in the public domain, and that the regulation is difficult to amend quickly in response to rapidly evolving security circumstance. The new proposal would help to clarify, simplify, and further harmonise the legal requirements with the aim of enhancing the overall security in civil aviation.
	Turning to land transport, we will table the draft recast directive on driving licences, with a view to political agreement. This is a compromise text that reflects the opinion of the European Parliament at its first reading and builds on the common position reached at the October 2004 Transport Council. Certain Member States have political difficulty with some of its provisions because of domestic concerns, which makes the outcome uncertain.
	Three elements of the third rail package are on the agenda.
	We will give Council the chance to achieve a political agreement on the liberalisation of international rail passenger services directive to amend Council Directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the Community s railways. This follows the useful exchange of views at the October Council. The proposed directive creates a presumption of open access and will extend liberalisation of the international passenger rail market to any licensed train operating company. This is currently only available to international groupings. The directive will also add the right of cabotage (carrying passengers between stations in the same country) on international services. The increased open access is, though, qualified. Member States may restrict access in particular markets which are already served by services which are the subject of a public service contract if the State's regulatory body confirms that this is strictly necessary to maintain the economic equilibrium of the public service contract. The proposal would have no significant effect on the competitive environment for Eurostar or domestic train operating companies in Great Britain. This directive is supported by a significant number of Member States, although there are some reservations which may mean an agreement is not possible.
	Linked to the rail liberalisation directive is the draft Public Service Obligation (PSO) regulation for public passenger transport services by rail and by road. The Council will hear a progress report, in so far as discussions on the rail liberalisation directive have touched on the content of this proposed regulation. The draft regulation sets out to ensure harmonised rules for granting of contracts to passenger transport operators, including rail operators, to provide public services.
	The second element of the third rail package in which the Council will have the chance to reach a political agreement is the draft regulation on International Rail Passengers' Rights and Obligations. The regulation provides enhanced rights for passengers making international rail journeys, building on the existing provisions in the COTEF international rail convention. The enhanced rights concern, in particular, the provision of information and tickets, compensation and assistance in the event of delay to international services, and assistance for persons of reduced mobility.
	The third dossier of the third rail package is the Certification of train crews operating locomotives and trains on the Community's rail network directive. This returns to the Council for political agreement, following the European Parliament's (EP) First Reading on 28 September and the general approach which was reached at the December 2004 Transport Council. The directive proposed for agreement is not materially changed from the general approach text. It includes a provision to allow Member States to exclude from the directive's applications—for a (renewable) period of up to 10 years—train drivers who exclusively operate on the territory of that Member State if it can be demonstrated that application of the directive's provisions would not be economically worthwhile.
	The maritime part of the agenda has one substantive item—Maritime Employment. The Council will be asked to agree Council Conclusions, which we have promoted, under the heading "Boosting employment prospects in the Community maritime sector and attracting young people to the seafaring profession". This will fulfil the UK promise to undertake this issue which was initiated during the Greek Presidency in 2003. This voluntary agreement, an example of better regulation, will help to build up a skills base of qualified and experienced people for the future of the shipping industry. Encouraging recruitment, especially among young people, is a vital part of that process.
	The Commission will report on the current situation in the Galileo satellite navigation project. The Commission hopes to present a possible resolution for the recent delays to the project. As presidency, we will continue to stress that a continuing delay would increase the costs and risks of the proposed PPP concession for the deployment phase. We. will also recall Council's previous statements on sound financial management of the project, and the need for a robust deal which benefits the Community as a whole.
	The most significant of the Any Other Business items are:
	Italian Minister, Pietro Lunardi and Minister of State Stephen Ladyman will make a statement on the Verona III—Informal Ministerial Conference on road safety that was held in Verona in November.
	The Commissioner will make a statement on the maritime package of seven proposals, which were published on 23 November.
	The Commissioner will make a statement introducing a Communication on inland navigation.
	The Commissioner will make a statement on SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research—previously known1 as SESAME), a technical programme to facilitate implementation of the Single Sky.
	The Commissioner will make a communication on the European Aviation Safety Agency.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Office for Disability Issues

Anne McGuire: I am pleased to inform Members today of the launch of a new unit, the Office for Disability Issues (ODI), which fulfils a key recommendation of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report, "Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People", published in January of this year.
	The Office for Disability Issues will lead cross-government work to drive forward the report's vision of substantive equality for disabled people by 2025.
	Despite great advances in civil rights and services since 1997, outcomes for disabled people have remained disappointing in a range of areas including employment, income, and education. Therefore it is vital that steps are taken now to minimise the barriers presently preventing an individual's full participation in their community and the economy. All Departments committed to the 20-year agenda set out in the Life Chances report, which will be progressed through the new Office for Disability Issues.
	The ODI will provide leadership as the focal point within for key partners working to promote improved outcomes for disabled individuals throughout their lives. As a cross-government unit, it will both influence and challenge from within, foster policy and programme coherence and integration across Departments. Working with key Government Departments, the ODI will ensure prompt implementation of the Life Chances set of recommendations for achieving full substantive equality for disabled people by 2025 as well as developing a broader and more inclusive strategy.
	The ODI will become an exemplar in equal opportunities, a model public sector organisation in internal practices, external relations and activities. It will ensure that the views and aspirations of disabled people are at the centre of policymaking, by reaching out to organisations and individuals at every step, and bringing external expertise into the ODI itself. We will, for example, be advertising externally for a senior ODI post in the New Year. It will change the way Government communicate with disabled people and organisations, embedding stakeholder engagement in its day-to-day work. Using these networks, and analytical resources, the ODI will become a source of information and expertise on disability and support to Government Departments, and work to influence public perception and build awareness of disability issues.
	A core team is already in place taking this work forward, and is engaging with a wide range of individuals and organisations, and sought views specifically on the ODI earlier this year. Feedback from this exercise informed our thinking on the role and remit of the Office, and is available on the ODI website, which is also being launched today.
	While individual departments retain responsibility for delivery and outcomes, the ODI will take forward some specific recommendations from the Life Chances report. This includes facilitating the cross-departmental Ministerial and supporting Officials steering Groups (these groups were established at the beginning of this year). I am very grateful to my Ministerial colleagues for their valuable work so far on the Ministerial steering group.
	The ODI will also collate and edit an annual report on progress towards the vision for substantive equality for disabled people by 2025; and will develop a set of outcome-based measures to track this progress. An independent advisory group is currently being appointed to scope out the role and remit of a National Forum for Organisations of Disabled People. The ODI will also be setting up a Task Force on Independent Living.
	In addition to fulfilling recommendations in the Life Chances report, the ODI will take a broader view of disability, encompassing areas not covered in the Life Chances report. This will include supporting other Government Departments in the effective implementation of the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act's public sector duty to promote equality for disabled people. As well as being a collective resource for, the ODI will also specifically support the Minister with responsibility for disabled people.